One shooting victim who is lucky to be alive tonight is 18 year-old William Lewis, a resident of Belama Phase 2.
On Friday night, at around 10:00, the teenager was hanging out with a few friends. They were sitting down right across from his house on Peter Ashdown Street. They were socializing, when they saw a strange man emerge from Lewis's backyard. It was a gunman trying to catch them off-guard, and he immediately pulled out his weapon and started firing shots at the group.
He chased several of the men down, and in the aftermath of the wild spray of bullets, Lewis was injured to the lower back, and the left buttocks, while Raheem Staine was grazed.
Police discussed the incident with the press today:
ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City
"Police visited the KHMH where they observed 2 male person suffering from gunshot injuries. The first male person was identified as William Lewis, 23 years old of a Belama Phase 2 address and Raheem Staine, with gunshot graze, also from the Belama Phase 1 area. Both of them were socializing at William Lewis residence when someone came out of the bushes and fired several shots at their direction; at the group of male persons that were socializing there."
Reporter
"You all have any idea as to who the intended target was sir?"
ASP Alejandro Cowo
"We understand that one of the male persons that was along with them might have been the intended target. Mr. William was admitted on the first night and discharged the following day; Mr. Raheem Staine was treated and discharged on the same day."
Reporter
"Any idea what may have triggered that shooting?"
ASP Alejandro Cowo
"What we understand is that it's a dispute that is going on between a group of male persons from the Belama phase one and phase two area."
Reporter
"From the 2 separate phases?"
ASP Alejandro Cowo
"Yes."
Reporter
"Do you consider these gentlemen innocent bystanders, or just part of the disputing groups?"
ASP Alejandro Cowo
"They are apart of one of the groups in the Belama area."
We got a chance to speak with Lewis and his mother today, and they declined comment because they are worried that this would put him in danger. Lewis did tell us that he was in the company of mostly family members, and he had no reason to suspect that he and his companions would come under fire on Friday night.
Police have detained 2 persons who are being questioned.
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